Side Dishes

With a taste reminiscent of stuffing, this is perfect for a holiday buffet. Layered eggplant adds a contrasting texture to the nuts and elevates this hearty casserole to an eye-popping entrée. Serve with cranberry sauce and gravy for a traditional experience.

They may be lucky symbols of folding money on New Year's, but greens—collard, turnip, mustard, beet and more—are a year-round staple in Southern cooking. Escarole, the least bitter member of the chicory family, turns sweet when cooked.

Cranberries contribute bright color and tingling taste to any holiday spread. Here they get a little extra zip from some ground red chile, preferably New Mexican, and more crunch from pecans that flourish in southern New Mexico.

This vegan egg nog was a challenge to create, but the result is a sweet, mild, rich-tasting drink. If you choose to add liquor, be aware that the flavor comes through much more strongly in this lower-fat nog, so start with the smaller amount called for and add more to taste.